Comedian Frank DeLima now calls Las Vegas home, settling into his new digs, precise location I promised never to reveal.
“Still getting settled,” he said in a recent email, when I asked, “How you doing?
On this day, he was hanging pictures on the walls of his senior home, and deciding what goes where, like any other person moving into new quarters.
“Putting stuff in their proper places,” he added.
What he learned, when he was ensconced in a Maikiki apartment for decades before his retirement this past year, is get room gear like shelving on wheels, for easier movement.
So, his shelves are on rollers, along with his chest of drawers. With back and hip issues, the easier it is to shuttle and shuffle stuff, the better.
DeLima also engaged in a new regimen – regular exercise – at his new senior facility.
“Every morning, I do two-hour therapy,” he revealed. “Neck, back, leg. Music makes it easier,” so he has his own brand of health-targeted disco.
“The hallways are so long, I walk indoors for exercise, for half an hour,” he said.
DeLima is fortunate to have friends in Vegas, who help him on shopping outings. “But I’m slowly learning about home delivery,” he noted.
Generally speaking, DeLima has no dilemma about his retirement move.
On new turf, he’s also had to secure new health services. “I got a new primary care physician,” he said. “And cardiologist, orthopedist, neurologist, dentist, physical therapist.”
All the vital “ists” in his quest for wellness are in place.
While he doesn’t have much hair to address, he nonetheless also has found a barber.
Health coverage is helping him to curb costs.“My insurance takes care of my transportation, round trip, to my appointments.,” said DeLima.
“I no more car, but my family and friends take me when I need to go shopping. And eating.”
He’s been scheduling lunches at least once a week, a comfortable rhythm and pace for all he’s been doing.
Further, he’s discovered a Catholic church a mile away, for Sunday worship.
“My sister (who has been a Vegas resident for a while) picks me up and we attend (church). Then go eat.”
He’s truly done all the proper homework, to adjust to his new senior life in the desert. He’s located restaurants in all directions of his residence, offering quite a range of choice: Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korea, Jewish and even “a place called Island Style, with Hawaiian favorites on the menu,,” he said..
DeLima also has figured out the locations of a CVS Pharmacy, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Target and a Smith’s Supermarket perhaps three miles away.
He’s been a Zippy’s advocate in Honolulu, but he hasn’t revealed if he’s visited the first Zippy’s on the Ninth Island or where a second eatery is coming up soon.
If you recall, DeLima’s final gig in Honolulu before heading for Vegas, was a Dec, 15, 2024, Christmas show at Blue Note Hawaii, complete with his array of comedic vignettes. Because of the holidays he staged his “Filipino Christmas” complete with his tree costume with lights. Diehard fans showed up at the mid-day finale.
Next up, possibly later than sooner, DeLima is eager to test the waters of doing limited shows for the constant Hawaii delegations who convene to Vegas for birthday or wedding receptions and the plethora of high school reunions which adore the climate of seeing old school pals and the lure of trying to win the big jackpot on the slots before catching a flight home …
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And that’s Show Biz…
I’ll be waiting for a new jiggle for his new journey. Happy to hear how will he adjusted and knowing we all need a check list with a Vital list of services. Enjoy what’s important.